Case for match packages



June 12, 1951 D. J. M KENZIE CASE FOR MATCH PACKAGES Filed March 5, 1947Inventor Daniel J. Mc Kenzie innnh u: I I I... I 7/ Atoeys Patented June12, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CASE FOR MATCH PACKAGES Daniel J.McKenzie, Pottsville, Pa.

Application March 5, 1947, Serial No. 732,597

2 Claims. (01.206-33) My invention relates to improvements in cases formatch packages, the primary object being to provide a simplyconstructed, inexpensive pocket case for conventional match packages,adapted for easy quick removal from a pocket and opening insubstantially one operation to open the match package so as to exposethe matches for removal as desired.

Another object is to provide a case of the character and for the purposeabove set forth adapted to hold a match package therein in a manner suchthat scratch strips 011 the package are readily accessible either whenthe case is open or closed.

To the accomplishment of the above, and subordinate objects presentlyappearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustratedin the accompanying drawing, set forth in detail in the succeedingdescription, and defined in the claims appended hereto.

In said drawing- Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improvedcase in the preferred embodiment thereof;

Figure 2 is a view in edge elevation;

Figure 3 is a view in edge elevation with the body and cover membersswung into open position;

Figure 4 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 ofFigure 1 and drawn to a larger scale.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, according to my invention, asillustrated, the case compromises, as its basic elements, a pair ofsubstantially rectangular body and cover members I, 2, respectively, ofany suitable light weight, thin gauge, material, the body member beinglonger than the cover member 2 and said members being pivotallyconnected together, in a manner presently described, at what constitutesthe rear ends thereof for relative swinging into open and closedpositions, respectively.

The body member I is formed with rightangled side flanges 3 taperingfrom the rear end of the member, the cover member 2 is formed withsimilar side flanges 4 adapted to overlap side flanges 3, and a pivotrod 5 extends through the wider ends of the flanges 3, 4, at the rearends of said members I, 2, so that said members close to form a casetapering longitudinally from the rear end thereof with the said membersI, 2 spaced apart laterally by said flanges 3, 4 and with the front endof the cover element 2 spaced rearwardly from the front end of the bodymember I.

A coil spring 6 surrounds the pivot 5 with its ends bearing against thebody and cover memhers I, 2 rearwardly of the pivot rod 5 whereby saidspring yieldingly urges said members into closed position.

A suitable protective tube I surrounds the coil spring 6 between theflanges 3 of the body member I and acts as a filler for closing thespace between the rear ends of the body and cover members I, 2.

A pair of edge finger grip rolls 8 are formed on the rear ends of thebody member I and cover member 2 in the rear of the pivot rod 5 forgrasping and pressing together to swing said members I, 2 open inopposition to the coil spring 6.

A lip 3 is bent forwardly on the front end of the'body I to form a frontend channel I0 extending across said member.

A similar lip I I is bent rearwardly on the front end of the covermember 2 to form an internal front end channel I2 extending across saidcover member.

A rectangular opening I3 is provided in the cover member 2 of sufficientsize to expose to view the major portion of the closure flap I4 of amatch package I5 having an edge scratch strip I6 on the free end of saidflap.

The described case is designed to contain the match package I5 betweenthe body and the cover members I, 2 and which is secured therein byinserting the usual match fastening fold II into channel II] of the bodymember I and the free end of the closure flap I4 into channel I2 of thecover member 2, as shown in Figure 4. The match package I5 being thusinserted in the case, the usual scratch strip I8 on the base of thematch package I5 is exposed for use in the space between the front endof the cover member 2 and the front end of the body member I, thescratch strip I5 on the closure flap I4 being exposed for use throughthe opening I3, also any advertising matter on said flap I4. The casebeing carried in the pocket may be grasped by the finger grip rolls 8pulled from the pocket and simultaneously opened by pressing on saidrolls 8 to swing the body and cover members I, 2 apart and thereby openthe match package I5. As shown in Figure 3, the finger grip rolls 8 areadapted. to

abut and limit the extent to which the body member I and cover member 2may be opened.

Pressure being relieved on the finger grip rolls 8, the body member Iand cover member 2 will swing closed under the influence of the coilspring 6.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to impart a clearunderstanding of my invention, without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification,without departing from the inventive concept, and right is hereinreserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. A case for a match package of the type having a match retaining fold,a closure flap and a base scratch strip, said case comprising arectangular body member having sides, a rectangular cover member, saidmembers being adapted to accommodate said package therebetween, meanspivotally connecting said members at rear ends thereof for relativeswinging into open and closed positions, respectively, and to form thecase when in closed position, said body member having a front endchannel therein adapted to seat there in the match retaining fold of thematch package, and said cover member having a front end channel thereinadapted to seat therein the free end or" the closure flap of saidpackage, whereby said package is adapted to be opened by swinging ofsaid members into open position, said cover member being shorter thansaid body member with the front end thereof spaced from the front end ofsaid body member rearwardly of the front end of the body member whensaid members are closed so that said scratch strip is exposed betweensaid ends, a helical spring between the rear ends of said membersextending from side to side of the body member and attached to saidmembers for swinging the same into closed posi--- tion, and a protectivetube surrounding said spring and closing the case at the rear ends ofsaid members.

4 2. A case for a match package, said case comprising a rectangular bodymember having sides, a rectangular cover member, said members beingadapted to accommodate said package therebetween, means pivotallyconnecting said members at rear ends thereof for relative swinging intoopen and closed positions respectively, and to form the case when inclosed position, a helical spring extending between the rear ends ofsaid members from side to side of the body member and attached to saidmembers for swinging the same into closed position, and a protectivetube surrounding said spring and closing said case at the rear ends ofsaid members.

DANIEL J. MCKENZIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

